People Ending Animal Cruelty and Exploitation

3rd April marked our last meeting for the semester, and a new start as the present committee hands over PEACE to a new team!

Joys, outgoing President, first highlighted our achievements for the semester- 3 animal shelter volunteering trips, a puppy mill campaign (talk & road show) in collaboration with Humane Society Singapore as well as fundraising efforts to support the expenditure of the group.

We are happy that our shelter visits had received overwhelming responses from the NUS population. Despite getting all wet and smelly at the shelters, most of them responded that they have enjoyed themselves greatly and would love to volunteer themselves again! Following this, a puppy mill campaign was initiated to highlight the plight of dogs in puppy mills as well as encourage the public to adopt instead of buying, if they are thinking of getting a furry companion. Not forgetting events organized in Semester 1, including our NUS PEACE Animal Welfare Symposium 2012, Welcome Tea and Illegal Ivory Trade Talk with Project WILD, this academic year proved to be a challenging and fruitful one indeed!

We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our staffs advisors, Mr Siva and Dr Stephen, as well as our alumni Keven and Weiling, who have provided us with valuable guidance throughout this period.

Before our meeting ended, the names of the new committee were announced (hearty congratulations, people! :D). We are proud to announce the new committee as below:

President: Chew Meng Yee

Vice-President: Delwen Nah

Secretary/Treasurer: Lynn Ng

Publicity Director: Josy Koh

Vice Publicity Director: Iris Ng

Design Director: Desiree Chaw

The rest of the night was spent mingling and sharing new ideas over pizza.

Happy faces enjoying pizza for dinner!

Our staff advisors & alumni mingling!

A note from the present committee;

When we first started off, we were very much on our own. We came together as strangers, just a group of animal lovers wanting to make some change. It wasn’t an easy journey- figuring out what we wanted to do and how to go about it and thankfully we had the guidance of our staff advisors, Mr Siva and Dr Stephen, and many other fellow animal lovers. Two years later, we’ve established ourselves and we’re going strong. We’ve accumulated knowledge and experience in organizing roadshows, movie screenings and symposiums. Cat Café is doing extremely well. To all who have been part of PEACE, kudos! It’s been our pleasure to work alongside each other in the cause for animal welfare. To the incoming committee, we want to encourage you to take PEACE to greater heights. When you face challenges, we hope you remember your passion, your love for animals and keep going. We will be here for you too.

Let’s look forward to the series of new events in the next academic year!:)

The talk titled ‘How Much Is The Doggy In The Window’ was conducted by NUS PEACE Communications Director, Audrey Tan. It was commenced with a brief introduction of NUS PEACE and Humane Society Singapore, our parter for the event.

Firstly, a video on the conditions of puppy mills and the dogs used for breeding was featured to allow our participants to have a clearer idea of the living conditions of the dogs in puppy mills. It zooms into the dark side of puppy mills to uncover the unethical and inappropriate treatment towards the dogs involved in breeding.

Next up, Audrey went on further to explain about the conditions of puppy mills in details- Space, Hygiene, Veterinary Care, Food & In-breeding. Dogs are often kept in small cages just about their size and stacked in order to save spaces. As a result, air ventilation becomes a problem. In addition, being kept in the cages for most or all of the time, where they live, eat, pee and poo, the living conditions are very unhygienic conditions. Without vaccinations and proper veterinary care, the dogs are very prone to skin infections and other health ailments. Once unable to reproduce anymore, the dogs will then be abandoned or left to fend for themselves and die.

Lastly, questions were opened up to the floor and issues such as legislations and governing bodies were raised. We hope that all of our participants have a better understanding of puppy mills after the talk. Most importantly, help to raise awareness and spread the message of ‘Adopt, Don’t Shop!’

In addition, a booth was set up along the walkway outside Central Library. We had the opportunity to talk to many students regarding the issue of puppy mill and received very positive responses for our fundraising merchandises!

Happy faces at the booth!

Thanks for those who have supported our fundraising event!:)

Bookmarks & Badges for sale!

‘Adopt, Don’t Shop’ Badges

Joys & Zan with NUS PEACE Limited Edition Tote Bag!

We would also like to extend our thanks to Zan and fellow friends who have printed and sponsored our fundraising materials for the event! The NUS PEACE Limited Edition Tote Bag is up for grabs now!

Do you know the source of the cute little puppies that you see in pet shops? Or, the pet dog that you are owning now?

Have you ever wondered where are their mothers and how do they look like?

In Singapore, many of the puppies sold in pet shops and farms come from puppy mills, which are literally ‘Puppy Factories‘ where dogs are impregnated and bred over and over again just to produce puppies for sale. Usually, the welfare of the dogs used for breedings are largely compromised.

Several dogs are cramped in cages about their sizes where even movement is severely limited. Other problems of breeding dogs include skin and ear infections as well as damaged paws.

However, many people are unaware about the source of these puppies. Through this event, we hope to raise awareness among the participants about the darkside of puppy mills as well as the plight of the breeding dogs. We also urge future pet owners to adopt, don’t shop!

HELLOOOO! I am sure all of you are as excited as us for our upcoming event, How Much Is That Doggy In The Window Talk & Roadshow. Do note that the venues are updated as below: Date: 28 March 2013 Venue for talk: LT14, Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences(1-2PM) Venue for roadshow: Central Library Walkway, Benches CLB 2 and 3 (10AM-6PM)

Do drop by our roadshow & talk to support us if you will be at Arts! Hope to see you there!:)

Even though it’s not an easy work, I believed that all of our participants had a fun and meaningful experience over the weekends. And we would love to share with you about the exciting bits that took place in the shelters!

Mdm’s Wong Shelter, 26 January

A staff from the shelter guiding us step-by-step on how to bathe a dog!

The visit started off with a demonstration of how to bathe a dog. Pepper, a 10-year old golden retriever stood calmly as we listened and watched intently.

*shakesssss*

Having learnt, we then got involved in the task of bathing the dogs. For many of us, it was the first time interacting with animals in a shelter and dogs of this size. And a fun time it was, especially with the occasional splattering of water from a dog shaking itself dry.

Let’s get started!

Hey sweetie, let’s give you a nice scrub!

Hello!

When’s our turn?!

While the guys were cleaning the compounds (thank you Ivan and Louis!!!), the girls had playtime with the cats who welcomed the attention.

?

Will you give me a belly rub, pleaseeeee?

When everyone was done with their tasks, the dogs were harnessed and we got to bring them to a dog run where they could roam freely in a natural environment.

Our volunteer’s face tells it all! It’s fun!:)

All in all, it was a good exposure for our participants who got to interact with the animals and gain a better understanding of what it means to volunteer at an animal shelter. They participated with enthusiasm and put in full efforts. Kudos also to Mdm Wong’s shelter for taking the time and effort to guide us along and involve us in the activities. As one participant puts it, ‘I really hope there will be more such events in future’, we say we do too:)

Animal Lovers’ League, 27 January

Sunday is the best time to sleep in! But, not for our participants today! Cause we are going to give some help out at ALL!

When we first arrived at the shelter, we were like mere strangers to the dogs and we didn’t have much interaction. Waiting patiently outside of the kennel, we finally had the chance to enter and interact with the dogs!

Our happy volunteers!

There’s are so many dogs here, but each and everyone of them had a different experience of life. Some abused, some abandoned and some strays. Despite this, we all see how they crave for human touch and love.

Abused by humans before but still craving for human touch

Josy & Ivan, our Rice Warriors, helped to prepared the food for the dogs. Two big pails of rice, it’s really no easy task. However, they do look like they are having lots of fun in it!

Our Rice Warrior, Josy!

What a happy face!:)

At a later part, we went to play with the cats as well!

Not forgetting our cats!

A reflection by our volunteer, Ivan

‘Out of the blue, a cute little white doggy pushed her head toward me. I knelt down and she started sniffing emphatically at me, millimeters away. Her whiskers grazing my nose, just to have a closer look at me. I gently petted this sweet little girl on her fluffy back, scratched behind her floppy ears, and she seemed to like it very much. Instantly, I felt that all the dogs here just need a little of our love.

Even though most of the dogs here had been hurt by human beings before, they never hated us, not at all. All they need is just a little of our time, our companion. I felt grateful because at the very least, I’m able to do something for them. When you come to think of it, all the trouble coming here is nothing compared to the pain they suffered. I had an unforgettable experience today and I’m sure I will return someday. ‘

Yes. Do lend a helping hand to these shelters! You can do your part by donating to them or spend a few hours of your weekend at a shelter. These furry pals had their fair share of heart breaking experiences in their lives. So, let’s give them some love Also, this reminds us that we should adopt instead of buying from pet shops! The pets in the shelters are all waiting for their forever home. Give them a chance!

Last but not least, we would like to extend our thanks to all of our participants!

NUS PEACE would be organizing another trip down to the shelters this FEBRUARY! Look out for this space for more details!

Although elephants are protected from trade, they are still being poached for their tusks, which are used to make ivory products such as ornaments and accessories. Elephants that are killed for their tusks die a horrific death. Poachers often use chainsaws to hack their faces off in order to remove the tusks.

Unfortunately for elephants, government agencies from around the world will be meeting in March 2013 to discuss if the elephant ivory trade should be legalized.

While some believe that legalization of the ivory trade will “save elephants” from being poached, others say that the opening of trade will bring a surge in consumer demand and drive poaching to a whole new level. What’s your take on this?

Content of talk

How wildlife trade decisions and laws come into place

Why many endangered animals are still not protected from trade today

What would happen if we allow sale of elephant ivory

What you can do to help elephants and other animals

Details

Date: 31 October 2012 (Wed)

Time & Venue: 1-2pm @ FASS LT10 AND 5-6pm@FASS LT9

(FASS: NUS Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences)

This talk is open for ALL to attend.

About the speaker

Jennifer Lee is the founder of marine conservation group Project: FIN and wildlife conservation arm, Project: Wild. Her profession is in marketing. While Project: FIN focuses on marine conservation, Project: Wild gives non-marine wild animals a voice. Both conservation groups are run by a team of passionate individuals who work closely together to make a difference for animals.

Having its origins in 1931, it was started at a convention of ecologists in Florence as a way to highlight the plight of endangered species. October 4 was initially chosen as the World Animal Day as it is the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

However, since then, October 4 has become a day for for remembering and paying tribute to all animals and the people who love and respect them. It’s celebrated in different ways in every country, with no regard to nationality, religion, faith or political ideology.

It also encourages all individuals to commemorate their love and respect for animals. Through heightening the level of awareness of animals and related issues, World Animal Day helps to create a new culture of respect and sensitivity, to make this world a fairer place for all living creatures.

So what are you waiting for? Give your furry pal a hug when you reach home and tell them you love them. Also, not to forget, show your love to ALL other animals: STAND UP and BE THEIR VOICE.

Want to join us in discussion of animal welfare issues? Would like to be learn more on issues like rescue work, rehabilitation of rescued animals as well as responsible care and pet ownership for animals?

We welcome you to join us at NUS PEACE Animal Welfare Symposium 2012 on 25 August 2012 in National University of Singapore (NUS)! Speakers for the event includes Ms. Corinne Fong from SPCA, Dr. Siew from Save Our Street DOgs (SOSD), Ms. Elaine Chiam from Project Kuching as well as passionate volunteers such as Ms. Sue-Ann who has been actively contributing in this sphere.

Mr. Louis Ng, the director of ACRES (Animal Concerns Research and Education Society), was invited to give a talk at U@live, on his journey of animal welfare and protection. NUS PEACE attended the talk and it was indeed an inspirational one! In his 10 minutes presentation, he mentioned about his experiences which acted as the driving forces for him to set up ACRES. Since then, ACRES had launched many campaigns including the recent ‘The World’s Saddest Dolphin’ campaign and also successfully set up another rescue centre in Laos focused on rescuing bears from wildlife trade. Although the journey is long and tough, Mr. Louis and his team displayed unwavering determination and perseverance in this fight for animal welfare! I believe that this has also inspired NUS PEACE to work harder for our beliefs and cause, in making the world a better place for the animals!